Cross Border Support for the Growing Latino Muslim Community

Islamic presence south of the border is much larger than many may assume.

BY LISA KAHLER

Have you been to the mosque recently and met a new Muslim?

Chances are that he or she is Latino.

The largest growing segment of U.S. Muslims today are Latinos. According to the Pew Research Center, the U.S. Muslim population grew from 2.5 million in 2007, to 3.5 million in 2017. The percentage of the U.S. Muslim population identifying as Latino grew from 1% in 2009 to 7% in 2018. Around 250,000 individuals consider themselves Latino Muslims.

While many Latinos are new to Islam, Islam is not new to Central and South America. Approximately 1.7 million Muslims live south of the border. In the 16th and 17th centuries, Muslims fleeing persecution in Spain traveled to, and settled in, the Americas. Later in the 18th century, enslaved Africans, primarily from Western Africa, were brought to lands controlled by the Portuguese and Spanish crowns.

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, individuals from the Middle East left the political turmoil of the declining Ottoman empire for better opportunities in the Americas. Around the same time, indentured servants from the Indian subcontinent were brought to areas in the Caribbean and Central America that were under British colonial rule. Migration in the 21st century from Muslim-majority countries fostered continued growth in the Muslim communities of Central and South America. Suriname, Guyana, and Trinidad & Tobago are estimated to have the highest percentages of Muslims at 15%, 6.5%, and 6% respectively, according to a 2010 Pew Research Center estimate.

Islamic Support Services

Latino Muslims living in the U.S., Central or South America face many hurdles such as economics, culture, family ties, language, and politics. Institutions based in Southern

California are working in a variety of ways to support Latino Muslims. The Latina Muslim Foundation (latinamuslimfoundation.org) works to provide immediate support for Muslims, international refugees, and other underserved locals, primarily in Tijuana, Mexico. The Spanish Islamic Reliance of America (SIRA; https://www.facebook.com/ our.sira) provides educational resources in Spanish for those interested in, or new to Islam.

With a shelter, empowerment center, food pantry, and transportation services, located just a few miles from the San Ysidro border in Tijuana, the Latina Muslim Foundation is focused on the immediate needs of the Muslim community in Mexico. During Ramadan 2023, daily iftars were served in multiple locations, along with food baskets. Many Muslim families received Eid baskets too. For refugees waiting on the border for asylum papers to process, as well as local Latino Muslims, the Latina Muslim Foundation’s Muslim Refugee Center & Transitional Center, helps provide a haven. The facility includes a musalla (prayer space), temporary shelter, and food pantry. While Muslim refugees are waiting for their paperwork to be processed, they can also start building skills and learning about options available in the U.S. Once refugees receive their completed asylum paperwork, complimentary transportation is provided to the next stage in the journey.

“SIRA is a nonprofit organization promoting how to embrace, inspire, and educate new Muslims and the Spanish-speaking communities in the U.S. and Latin America,” said Rossana Mian, SIRA Secretary. For Spanish-speaking individuals in Southern California, SIRA collaborates with local Islamic institutions to provide mentors, networking, translation, and Spanish language classes on Islam.

President Somaya Elgohary works for a virtual online Islamic educational institute, translating authentic Islamic texts accurately into Spanish. Coordinating with local mosques, such as the Islamic Center of Orange County, volunteers serve as mentors for new Muslims. Mentors provide a safe space to vent, ask questions, and learn from the struggles that others may have experienced. During Ramadan 2023, Mian and her team of volunteers organized a Spanish Language qiyam at the Islamic Center of Garden Grove. An entire evening of dua, lectures, and prayers, was held in Spanish, to “Embrace, Inspire, and Educate.” At the annual MAS Convention held over Thanksgiving each year at the Ontario Convention Center, a parallel program is held for Spanish-speaking Muslims.

TRIPS, TIPS, AND TACOS

In Fall 2022, a Spanish-speaking contingent of Muslimahs left from SoCal for Umrah. The first Umrah for these attendees was generously sponsored, recorded and published as a documentary, in coordination with SIRA. A moving spiritual journey, the project was designed with the intention to spread awareness and understanding of Latino Muslims in the Americas. (https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=PuWqoSMWk5c).

If you happen to be in Southern California during Ramadan, don’t be surprised to hear Feliz Ramadan! and Feliz Eid! greetings around the ubiquitous Halal Taco Truck at many events.Try to make an effort and include Latino Muslims in your events. Next time you are at the mosque or a Muslim party, look around, and perhaps add Hola or Como estas? after your greetings of Salam. Chances are there might be some Latino Muslims in the gathering. Don’t assume that they are a brand-new Muslim and know nothing about Islam. Many Latino Muslims, such as the board members of SIRA and the Latina Muslim Foundation, have been Muslim for decades or are second or third generation, American-born, Latino Muslims.

Diversity is woven into the tapestry of Islam. It is up to Muslims to truly include brothers and sisters from different backgrounds in mosque boards, planning committees, social events, and even in their families. ih

Lisa Kahler is an educational consultant with more than 25 years experience working in Islamic schools in Southern California.

Imam

The Muslim community of Bettendorf, Iowa is seeking a full time Imam to meet the religious, spiritual, and educational needs of this growing community, with particular focus on youth.

QUALIFICATIONS:

◆ Degree in Islamic Studies from an accredited Islamic institution.

◆ Comprehensive knowledge of the Quran, Hadith and Fiqh.

◆ Fluency in English and strong communication, organizational and leadership skills

◆ Ability to communicate effectively with diverse groups of people of all ages and backgrounds.

◆ Hafiz- e-Quran highly preferred.

◆ Ability to lead da’wah and interfaith activities.

◆ Experience in developing and managing youth programs is a plus.

◆ 5-10 years of previous experience as an Imam or Director in the United States.

MCQC offers an attractive compensation package commensurate with education and experience.

Please submit your resume with salary history and references to: ahmedovais@hotmail OR MCQC

2115 Kimberly Road Bettendorf, IA 52722